Accompanying change positively

"Climate Innovation" sounds quite technical to me. What exactly is your new CAS programme about?

Nicolas Gruber: First and foremost, we provide system knowledge: How does a system work, how can we transform it? How can I move within my company in the right networks? And what does it finally take to move a company? Neither can innovative change happen only top down, nor can it work only bottom up. What we offer is a package of solutions on how to approach innovation in a systemic way.

Stefano Brusoni: On climate change, a lot of research has already been done and of course, there is also a lot of technical knowledge. The challenge is to bring the science we are doing on this topic to industry quickly and effectively. We need to share this knowledge with decision makers because the decisions we need to take to stop climate change have to be taken now, not in 20 years.  

In order to stop climate change, major technological inventions have already been made for the most part. So, what kind of "climate innovation" are you specifically talking about?

Nicolas Gruber: Take the energy system, for example. We know where we want to go and what it takes to get there. What is missing is the connection. This requires a lot of small adjustments at different levels, from the energy provider and urban planner to the electrician who actually installs the individual systems.

David Bresch: In the transformation processes that are required to move towards a climate-resilient system, social innovations are needed more than anything else. As Nicolas has said, these do not necessarily take place top down. Perhaps from top down, spaces need to be created. But, hand on heart, innovative people create these spaces themselves. They don't need a "placet" from their higher-ups, they just do it! And they accept that they may have to change jobs if their company does not move.

What are your goals with the new CAS programme?

Nicolas Gruber: Regarding climate change, we are facing incredible challenges. The problems are often very complex and multi-layered. That can also be discouraging. With our CAS, we want to empower people so that they think, "Yes, I can make a difference!" Spreading hope and getting people into their own field of action is almost as important as providing the knowledge itself.

Stefano Brusoni: We want to help our participants align their language and the tools they use with new solutions. Because otherwise, they get stuck in the frictions between levels, between units. In order to actually change something in our working environment, we have to overcome boundaries in companies as well.

Who are the individuals your programme is aimed at?

Nicolas Gruber: Specifically, we are addressing individuals who have a degree in science, engineering, architecture or economics and have been in their professions for more than three years. Typically, these are group leaders, people in middle management positions, young entrepreneurs or simply people who want to position themselves differently within the company. For example, they studied engineering and after a few years of professional experience they know that a holistic approach is needed to tackle wicked problems such as climate change. On top, we are looking also for individuals with intrinsic motivation.

David Bresch: Exactly, we are mainly looking for individuals who feel the need to deal with the problem of climate change in their professional environment. Some will come not so much with a concrete example or problem but rather with the craving to be part of such processes. We are sure that these people exist. And they will leave our programme with better tools on how to initiate change processes in their working environment.

And where might these people come from?   

David Bresch: Most companies have a regulatory obligation to take on the challenge of operating sustainably. Many people involved already have a huge amount of experience in their profession, but do not necessarily yet have the skills to deal with the challenges and uncertainties of climate change. There is huge potential, change processes towards net zero are necessary and possible everywhere.

Case studies are an important element of the programme. What can the participants expect? 

Nicolas Gruber: First of all, we will establish a common ground and initially focus on two sets of topics: Net Zero and the Food System. What does it mean, for example, from a company or a city perspective to go towards net zero? We then do the same in the context of food systems. In a second phase, we will open up to the case studies from the participants. This will be a demand-driven process, we will shape the case studies together with the participants. This is how we ensure that we really meet their needs.

There will be a lot of interaction in your programme. What are the key challenges?

David Bresch: As lecturers, we have to be extraordinarily agile and really open to questions. We can't teach a one-size-fits-all approach. We really have to be able to throw 50 slides overboard just to answer a question from a participant on the spot. There will be a lot of joint learning in the group and we will probably learn as much as the participants.

What makes you sure that the programme will be a success?

David Bresch: We deliver as much Hands-On Knowledge as possible but underpin it up with solid science. In the end, this really connects with the practical work reality of the participants and the next steps in their career.

Stefano Brusoni: The space for solutions to so-called "wicked problems" like climate change comes from science. We work with integrated learning strategies that come partly from the environmental sciences and partly from the social and management sciences. Yet, we also need the competences and skills of industry to really move on. We need the reality check that comes from industry, from companies, from administration, from practice. This is why Weiterbildung is so important. Here at ETH Zurich, we are able to test the assumptions of science in practice, together with practitioners. That makes us unique.